Synopsis: "The Angel's Lamp" by Ashby Jones is a novel set in war-torn Ireland just after the Easter Rising, and centers around a love affair between Johnny Flynn, an Irish-bred, English staff-sergeant in charge of the rebellion's soon-to-be executed leaders, and Nora Connolly, the firebrand daughter of James Connolly, the uprising's charismatic leader. Johnny meets Nora while standing guard over her soon-to-be executed father and is struck by her determination to take the fight to the British. But then, unknown to Nora and under the threat of death Johnny is unexpectedly summoned to serve on the firing squad that executes Connolly. Ridden with guilt after the execution and feeling a traitor to his heritage given all he has seen and done, Johnny deserts the British Army, joins the ragtag Irish rebels, and soon crosses paths with Nora. The story that follows culminates in an fiery emotional conflict between Johnny and Nora that pits the possibilities of love against the unyielding obstacles to forgiveness. Critique: A terrifically entertaining read from first page to last, "The Angel's Lamp" clearly marks author Ashby Jones as an accomplished and gifted novelist of the first order. Strongly recommended and certain to be an enduringly popular addition to community library General Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Angel's Lamp" is also available in a Kindle edition ($7.49). Mary Cowper Reviewer ~ Mary Cowper's Bookshelf, Midwest Book Review

The Angel's Lamp Ashby Jones Top Hat Books Synopsis: "The Angel's Lamp" by Ashby Jones is set in a war-torn Ireland just after the Easter Rising. The novel centers around a love affair between Johnny Flynn, an Irish-bred, English staff-sergeant in charge of the rebellion's soon-to-be executed leaders, and Nora Connolly, the firebrand daughter of James Connolly, the uprising's charismatic leader. Johnny meets Nora while standing guard over her soon-to-be executed father and is struck by her determination to take the fight to the British. But then, unknown to Nora and under the threat of death Johnny is unexpectedly summoned to serve on the firing squad that executes Connolly. Ridden with guilt after the execution and feeling a traitor to his heritage given all he has seen and done, Johnny deserts the British Army, joins the ragtag Irish rebels, and soon crosses paths with Nora. The story that follows culminates in an fiery emotional conflict between Johnny and Nora that pits the possibilities of love against the unyielding obstacles to forgiveness. Critique: A deftly crafted, immensely entertaining, and reader riveting novel from beginning to end, "The Angel's Lamp" documents author Ashby Jones as a remarkably talented writer. Very highly recommended for community library General Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Angel's Lamp" is also available in a Kindle edition ($7.99). Micah Andrew Reviewer ~ Micah Andrews, Midwest Book Review

A deftly crafted, immensely entertaining, and reader riveting novel from beginning to end, "The Angel's Lamp" documents author Ashby Jones as a remarkably talented writer. Very highly recommended for community library General Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Angel's Lamp" is also available in a Kindle edition ($7.99). ~ Midwest Book Review

Great review! Here's the link ... http://www.irishamericanmom.com/2016/01/29/new-book-giveaway-the-angels-lamp-by-ashby-jones/ ~ Irish American Mom, Mairead

TheAngel’s Lamp is story telling at its finest, a tale that fuses fact and fiction together to create a grim, yet darkly romantic, portrait of the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin. The familiar events of the rebellion are written in vivid detail, highlighting the grit and glory and passion that were the earmarks of the Irish Independence movement. But, it is Ashby Jones’s masterfully-drawn characters and his cinematic eye that make this version so powerful and brutally human. Each scene is shockingly realistic, and rich with poetic beauty and emotion – quite the sleight of hand given the bloody war the story depicts. The characters are among the most memorable in recent literature. From Johnny Flynn, the young, reluctant soldier initially fulfilling his duty, then following his heart…to the zealous masterminds of the rebellion such as Patrick Pearce, Michael Collins and Sean McDermott…..and James Connelly, the movement’s charismatic leader….to Nora, his fiery, fierce and beautiful daughter – each one is compelling and the reader is with them each step of the way, feeling every twitch of their eye, every rapid beat of their heart, every shift of their allegiance. Perhaps the most intriguing element is Ireland itself. Serving as both a beautiful, mossy backdrop and bloody battleground, it is a demanding seductress, coaxing its countrymen and women to surrender their lives for its very soul, ultimately seeking acts committed in the name of pride and love of country, often blurring the lines between honor and horror. And so,as the story unfolds, one heart-pounding paragraph after another – I found myself turning the last pages with a sense of urgency and then dread as the last catastrophic– and inevitable – reality began to crystallize. These final scenes and images, like the book itself, are pure brilliance. The Angel’s Lamp, as well as Connelly’s prophetic words, “Shoot Straight, Johnny Flynn” not only serve as the story’s moral barometer, but are words that will resonate and haunt the reader long after they’ve turned the last page. ~ Linda Bruckheimer, bestselling author and philanthropist